Storage device for boating accessories

ABSTRACT

A storage device for an overhead cover of a boating vehicle. The storage device provides additional storage space for accessories and personal items being stored on a boat, and provides portable and easy access to the items. In one embodiment of the invention, the storage device is removably secured to the overhead cover of the boat. In this case, the storage device is removable and transportable for use with other vehicles. In an alternative embodiment, the storage device is formed integral with the overhead cover.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a storage device, and in particular, to anoverhead storage device which may be incorporated into an overhead coverfor a boating vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is common in the boating world for vehicles to include a soft canvastop, such as a bemini top, to protect individuals on the boat from theelements. These covers, however, typically do not provide any otherpurpose beyond this protection. While individuals often seek protectionfrom the elements, it is equally desired to enjoy the pleasures thatcome along with owning such a vessel, for example sunbathing, tubing,water skiing, etc. In this regard, the one thing that all boaters havein common is the need for storage of accessories and personal items forsuch activities. Preferably, these accessories and personal items arestored in a convenient, safe and easily accessible location. Commonly,glove box compartments, seatback compartments, under bow storage orunder seat storage devices are utilized for this purpose. Unfortunately,these storage compartments can consume a large amount of space, as wellas get in the way of the passengers on the boat.

Thus far, conventional storage compartments offer little in the way ofproviding sufficient, additional storage that is easily accessible topassengers. FIG. 1 shows a conventional bemini top for use with a boat.Conventional bemini tops, as illustrated here, simply provide protectionfrom the elements. Few of these tops provide additional functionality.For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,931,114 to Bartholomew discloses a smallstorage compartment attached to the frame of a boat top. The storagecompartment is attached to the bottom face of the boat top for storingdesired items, such as radios, navigation aids, books, maps, etc. Thestorage compartment can be open or can have an appropriate cover forsecuring the items stored therein from the elements.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,327,993 to Richens discloses an overhead storage systemfor a boat bemini top having an elongated unitized backing material.Attached to the bottom surface of the backing material is a series ofremovable storage pockets, of varying sizes, that are generallyrectangular in shape and have a hinged lid.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,527,261 to Johnson discloses a canopy top for use with avehicle having an open passenger compartment and carrying equipment.Means formed integral with the frame secure equipment to the top.

It would therefore be advantageous if there was additional storage spaceon the boat to prevent the boat from being cluttered with additionalgear and/or personal items, and, at the same time, being easilyaccessible to the passengers. In particular, it would be advantageous tohave storage space which is capable of storing large and/or bulky items,such as an inflated inner-tube.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention seeks to solve the longstanding problem ofrecreational boaters, namely, limited storage capacity on a boat. Inparticular, the present invention enables boaters to store large and/orbulky items, such as an inflated inner-tube.

In one embodiment of the invention, there is a top for use with avehicle and configured to carry equipment, including

-   -   a storage apparatus removably attached to the top and configured        to hold the equipment, wherein the storage apparatus is        collapsible with the top.

In one aspect of the invention, the storage apparatus is secured to thetop at a plurality of locations by a corresponding number of securingmembers.

In another aspect of the invention the storage apparatus is secured to aframe of the top at a plurality of locations by a corresponding numberof securing members.

In still another aspect of the invention, the frame apparatus isremovably attached to the vehicle along side walls of a passengercompartment.

In yet another aspect of the invention, the storage apparatus isexpandable to accommodate a variety of equipment.

In another embodiment of the invention, the storage apparatus is formedintegral with the top, such that additional securing members are notrequired.

In another embodiment of the invention, there is a storage apparatus foruse with an overhead cover and designed to carry equipment, comprising acasing configured to secure to the overhead cover and to store theequipment.

In one aspect of the invention, the casing includes a plurality ofsecuring members for removably securing the storage apparatus to theoverhead cover.

In another aspect of the invention, the casing includes a plurality ofsecuring members for removably securing the storage apparatus to a frameof the overhead cover.

In still another aspect of the invention, the casing forms a receptaclewith a closure at one end for reception of the equipment.

In yet another aspect of the invention, at least a portion of the casingis waterproof.

In still another embodiment of the invention, there is a top, comprisinga storage apparatus formed integral therewith for securing to a frame ofa vehicle.

In yet another embodiment of the invention, there is an overhead storageapparatus for storage of accessories and attachable to a cover of aboating vehicle, including a frame configured to be secured to theboating vehicle, and a canopy top configured as the cover and removablysecured to the frame, wherein the overhead storage apparatus iscomprised of a flexible material having a receptacle for storage of theequipment and removably secured to the cover or frame of the boatingvehicle at a plurality of locations by a plurality of securing members.

In one aspect of the invention, the overhead storage apparatus includesat least one internal storage section to store additional accessoriesseparate from the receptacle.

In another aspect of the invention, the receptacle has an opening at oneend and is configured for closure.

In still another aspect of the invention, the opening is secured using azipper or Velcro.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a conventional bemini top.

FIG. 2 shows an overhead cover with a storage compartment in accordancewith the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows an overhead cover with a storage device in anotherembodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows an overhead cover with a storage device secured thereto bythree straps.

FIG. 5 shows an overhead cover with a storage device secured thereto byalternative fasteners.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention solves the longstanding problem of recreational boaters.As alluded to above, many pleasure boaters find that they frequentlyhave more gear than storage space with the end result that the floor orother surface areas of the boat become cluttered with gear. One commonexample is those who use recreation boats for water skiing, tubing andwake boarding. Each of these activities requires separate gear, andstorage on a boat is scarce. An intertube designed for use behind aboat, for example, is particularly difficult to store on the boat onceinflated, and cannot be towed behind the boat while pulling a skier or awake-boarder. Similarly, skis and other bulky gear often clutter theboat, limiting the amount of usable space on the boat.

The present invention solves the above described problems with use of alight weight storage system that can be integrated into or fastened toand rest on top of the boat's top. The invention is comprised of astorage receptacle, which can be made of a variety of materials, thatmay lie flat when not in use, but is expandable and capable of holdinglarge objects such as inflated tubes, life preservers, ski ropes, wakeboards, skis and other objects. The receptacle can also be designed toinclude rigid stays to maintain its storage capacity, if desired. Thereceptacle will typically have a large closure located in the rear ofthe device, and can be closed with a variety of closures including, forexample, snaps, zippers or Velcro strips.

In general, a canopy top (i.e. cover) for use with a boating vehicle isprovided. The canopy top has a frame adaptable of being secured to theboat and supported above a passenger compartment. The canopy typicallyoverlies the frame of the boat, and is capable of holding a storagedevice to be formed integral to the canopy (i.e. top) for securingequipment thereto.

FIG. 2 illustrates an overhead cover with a storage compartment inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated,a storage device 1 is removably attached to the frame 4 of a cover 3,such as a bemini top. The storage device 1 thereby rests on top of thecover 3 (e.g. bemini top), while allowing the cover 3 to provide typicalprotection from the elements, and, at the same time, allow additionalstorage for gear and accessories. The storage device 1 can be made froma variety of materials, including plastic, cloth, canvas, mesh, etc.,and can be made in a variety of shapes and sizes to conform with thesize of the boat cover 3. The storage device 1 may also be formed as a“one size fits all” device, and can also be constructed out ofwaterproof materials to prevent items stored within from getting wet.

In a preferred embodiment of the storage device, the storage device 1 issecured, for example by Velcro, button-on laches, stays or straps whichmay be tightened, to the frame 4 of the top. The cover 3 is secured tostays of the frame by respective fore and aft flaps or loops. The loopsare created by folding or looping edges of canopy material underneaththe sewing or otherwise appropriately fixing the edges to the undersideof the canopy. Loops are shaped and sized so that when the cover 3 isfully deployed, canopy is tautly expanded, with respective stays tautlybut slidably disposed therein. Fore and aft reinforcing adjustablestraps or tethers are optionally tied to the boat to further support andstabilized he canopy in the expanded position. Once the canopy ispositioned, the storage device 1 may be fastenably secured to thereto.To deploy the storage device 1, the storage device 1 is first placed ontop of the canopy. The storage device 1 is then unfolded such that thefour corners are matched to the four corners of the canopy or frame top.Once matched, the four corners are securably fastened to the frame suchthat the storage device is taut with the cover. Gear and accessories canthen be stowed inside the storage device for hauling. To minimize noise,such as flapping while the boat is moving, additional straps may belocated on the storage device for further securing the device when notfully expanded or filled with gear. In another embodiment, the fabric isexpandable or zippers are placed on the sides of the storage device toallow the device to be expanded or contracted according to the amount ofgear being stowed therein.

Although the storage device, in the preferred embodiment, is shown assecured to the frame of the top, the invention is not limited to thisembodiment. For example, the storage device could also be secured to thestern or bow of the boat, and can even be used as a storage device foruse with other vehicles such as automobiles, trucks, etc. This enablesthe passengers to easily tow gear from one location to another, withouthaving to unpack and re-pack. For example, the storage device (with gearincluded) can be moved from one vehicle to another. Removal of thestorage device is as simple as un-tethering or unsnapping the straps, orunhooking fasteners or clips, and lifting the storage device off of thecover. Naturally, attaching the storage device to an automobile or othervehicle is as simple as installation to the boat.

FIG. 3 shows an overhead cover with a storage device in anotherembodiment according to the present invention. In this embodiment, thestorage device 1 is made integral and collapsible with the overheadcover. That is, the cover 3 is formed such that the storage device 1 ispart of the cover 3. In this embodiment, the cover 3 and storage device1 are assembled and disassembled as one piece. The cover 3 is attachedto the frame 4 in a generally transverse position with respect to thelongitudinal dimension of the hull of the boat. The cover 3 may beattached, for example, along side members of the frame or secured bystraps or otherwise at ends of the frame, and is adapted to be fastenedor tensioned.

It is also possible, as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, to secure thestorage device to the canopy using only three fasteners, or by supplyingthrough holes integrated with the storage device such that rope orstraps may be fed through the holes and fastened to the canopy of frameof the boat.

Accordingly, the overhead storage system is removably attached to theoverhead cover of a boating vehicle and can be easily installed,requires no special tools or fittings for installation, and is easilyremoved for use in another location. Moreover, the present inventionaddresses the longstanding need for additional storage capacity on aboating vessel, within easy reach of passengers. Finally, the storagesystem may include internal, smaller storage sections where smaller,personal items may be stored, and, which smaller sections may bewaterproof.

The present invention is not limited to the above described material,but rather as merely providing illustrations of some of the presentlypreferred embodiments of this invention.

1. A top for use with a vehicle, comprising: a storage apparatusremovably attached to the top and configured to hold the equipment,wherein the storage apparatus is collapsible with the top.
 2. The topaccording to claim 1, wherein the storage apparatus is secured to thetop at a plurality of locations by a corresponding number of securingmembers.
 3. The top according to claim 1, wherein the storage apparatusis secured to a frame of the top at a plurality of locations by acorresponding number of securing members.
 4. The top according to claim3, wherein the frame apparatus is removably attached to the vehiclealong side walls of a passenger compartment.
 5. The top according toclaim 1, wherein the storage apparatus is expandable to accommodate avariety of equipment.
 6. The top according to claim 1, wherein thestorage apparatus is formed integral with the top, such that additionalsecuring members are not required.
 7. A storage apparatus for use withan overhead cover and designed to carry equipment, comprising a casingconfigured to be removably secured to the overhead cover and to storethe equipment.
 8. The storage apparatus according to claim 7, whereinthe casing includes a plurality of securing members for removablysecuring the storage apparatus to the overhead cover.
 9. The storageapparatus according to claim 7, wherein the casing includes a pluralityof securing members for removably securing the storage apparatus to aframe of the overhead cover.
 10. The storage apparatus according toclaim 8, wherein the casing forms a receptacle with a closure at one endfor reception of the equipment.
 11. The storage apparatus according toclaim 10, wherein at least a portion of the casing is waterproof.
 12. Atop, comprising a collapsible storage apparatus having a storage areadefined substantially by a size of the top and formed integral therewithfor securing to a frame of a boating vehicle.
 13. An overhead storageapparatus for storage of accessories and attachable to a cover of aboating vehicle, comprising: a frame configured to be secured to theboating vehicle; and a canopy top configured as the cover and removablysecured to the frame, wherein the overhead storage apparatus iscollapsible and comprised of a flexible material having a receptacle forstorage of the equipment and removably secured to the cover or frame ofthe boating vehicle at a plurality of locations by a plurality ofsecuring members.
 14. The overhead storage apparatus according to claim13, wherein the overhead storage apparatus includes at least oneinternal storage section to store additional accessories separate fromthe receptacle.
 15. The overhead storage apparatus according to claim13, wherein the receptacle has an opening at one end and is configuredfor closure.
 16. The overhead storage apparatus according to claim 15,wherein the opening is secured using a fastening device.
 17. An overheadstorage apparatus of a boating vehicle for storage of equipment andaccessories, comprising: a frame configured to be secured to the boatingvehicle; and a canopy top configured as the cover and removably securedto the frame, wherein the storage apparatus is collapsible and comprisedof a flexible material having a receptacle for storage of the equipmentand accessories and formed integral with the top, such that additionalsecuring members are not required.